Student Exchange
How to apply? Tips from Wang Xiangzhen
School of Exchange: UC Berkeley, USA
Length: One Year (Aug 2005 - June 2006)
At the beginning of Fall semester, all students in CUHK will receive an email from OAL (Office of Academic Links) asking for application of exchange program. After filling out the application online, most applicants will get invitation of interviews which are usually held in November (there are a few cases that some students do fail at the first stage, so write the application carefully!). The interview panel consists of 3 members: one professor, one OAL officer and one returned exchange student. I joined the panel once so I’d like to share my experience as an interviewer and interviewee.
It would be better to dress formally in the 15 minutes interview. Usually one panel will interview about 15 students every morning and afternoon. There are several thick folders containing all applicants’ information at their hands. Even it is one-to-one interview, the interviewer often do not have time to look through files before you step into the room. In this case, they will most probably ask you some typical questions, such as, please use one minute to introduce yourself (it is almost a must asking question, and they will ask further questions according to what they learn about you in your self-introduction); why do you choose XXX university as your first choice; what do you want to achieve in your exchange; how can you balance your life between sight-seeing and studying; how will you introduce CUHK/ Hong Kong to your foreign friends; what will you do if you encounter difficulties abroad, etc. These are the questions you can prepare. The panel members will mark your performance according to several standards, including your purpose of exchange, English speaking efficiency, confidence, ability of living abroad etc.
Whether you can get into your preferred school depends upon two factors equally: your interview score and your latest term GPA. See, the application process is not that difficult if you pay some effort to prepare.
